Record keeping and viewing device



Nov. 25, 1969 E. w. MORLEY 3,479,985

RECORD KEEPING AND VIEWING DEVICE Filed April 17, 1967 I N VE NTOR.

ERVIN w. MORLEY F BY I WM/W ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,479,985 RECORD KEEPING AND VIEWING DEVICE Ervin W. Morley, Napa, Calif., assignor of ten percent to Ellane B. Hammond, Imola, Napa, Calif. Filed Apr. 17, 1967, Ser. No. 631,412 Int. Cl. G09f 9/46 US. Cl. 116-435 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for keeping records of various types and for viewing such records. A movable web wrapped on a pair of spaced rotatable shafts is supported by 'a backing plate so that the web can be marked and thereby provided with record indicia. A transparent cover permits viewing of the web and protects the same. The device may be of pocket size proportion so that it can be conveniently carried.

This invention relates to improvements in record keeping apparatus and, more particularly, to a record keeping device of the scroll type which can be of a size suitable for carrying in a garment pocket.

The present invention relates to a record keeping and viewing device which includes a movable web secured at its ends to a pair of spaced, generally parallel, rotatable shafts mounted in a receptacle which can be closed by a transparent cover. A backing plate is positioned in the receptacle beneath the web to support the latter as it is being marked. The cover allows the record indicia on the web to be viewed and each shaft has handle means permitting the rotation of the shaft and thereby the advancement of the web in a corresponding direction. Thus, not only can additional web area be moved onto the plate for recording purposes, but also the indicia Previously applied to the web can be moved into view when the cover closes the receptacle.

The receptacle and cover may be of a size permitting the device to be carried in a garment pocket. Thus, the device is suitable for a number of different uses where it must be carried in a confined space and must be easy to handle and readily accessible for recording and viewing. Thus, it is especially adapted for recording and viewing scores of athletic events where it is desired to carry the device in a shirt or coat pocket or in a handbag. The device is lightweight and compact in construction so that it is not unwieldly when it is being carried or handled. Moreover, it can be formed from materials providing good strength characteristics therefor so that it can remain intact even if it is accidentally dropped onto a floor or the like.

The construction of the device is such that the web or writing material can be removed from the receptacle and replaced by a clean or a previously written Web. To this end, one or both of the shafts are removably mounted in the receptacle by improved mounting structure secured to the ends of the receptacle itself. Such mounting structure cooperates with the handle means of each shaft to not only allow the shafts to be rotated, but also to be quickly and easily removed from and placed in the receptacle,

The backing plate is mounted so that it permits access to the interior of the receptacle such as for changing webs, while at the same time, the plate remains attached to the receptacle. Moreover, the plate has anti-friction means on opposed edges thereof to facilitate the movement of the web over the plate.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved record keeping and viewing device which is simple and rugged in construction and which can have 3,479,985 Patented Nov. 25, 1969 ice pocket-size proportions so that it is suitable for carrying in a garment pocket while, at the same time, it can be used for recording and viewing records of different types and thereby be used in a variety of different situatrons.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type described which includes a movable web for receiving the record information and a backing plate for supporting the Web as the same is being marked with the information, the web and the plate being disposed within a container having a transparent cover which normally protects the web when the latter is being viewed or when the device is being carried but is movable to an open position permitting the web to be marked or otherwise provided with the recording information.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the aforesaid character which is constructed so that the web can be replaced by a second web to permit recording on and viewing of the second web after the latter has been put into place in the device.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pair of rotatable shafts for disposing the web in a position to be marked and viewed wherein the shafts are provided with releasable structure on external handles for the shafts whereby one or both of the shafts can be removed from the device to replace the web and thereby allow for the recording and viewing of additional record information.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing which sets forth a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the recording and viewing device of the invention, parts being broken away to show details of construction;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device looking in the direction of line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

Recording and viewing device 10 includes a receptacle 12 having a pair of sides 14 and 16 and a pair of ends 18 and 20 interconnecting sides 14 and 16. Bottom 22 is coupled to the ends and the sides. Receptacle 12 may be formed from any suitable material, such as plastic or the like, so that it can be made at a relatively small cost.

A transparent cover 24 is mounted by hinge means 26 to the upper edge of side 16 and is movable into and out of a position covering the open top of the receptacle. Fastening means 28 is provided on side 14 and cover 24 for releasably holding the latter in a closed position.

A pair of shafts 30 and 32 are rotatably mounted within receptacle 12 and can be removed therefrom if desired. Each shaft has an extension 34 at the extremity thereof adjacent to end 18 of receptacle 12. One end of each shaft has an extension 34 loosely received within a recess formed in an end plate 36 adjacent to end 18 (FIG. 4). The opposite end of each shaft has a recess 38 which loosely receives the end 40 of a pin 42 extending through another end plate 44 and end '20 (FIG. 3). Pin 42 is shiftably mounted within a tubular extension 46 rigid to and projecting laterally from side 20 and a coil spring 48 surrounds pin 42 between an annular shoulder 50 on pin 42 and the outer wall 52 of extension 46. Thus, the pin is biased toward the interior of the receptacle and end 40 is biased into recess 38. By means of the aforesaid construction, each shaft is not only rotatably mounted within the receptacle, but is removable therefrom.

To rotate each shaft, a knob or handle 54 is disposed 3 on and rotatable relative to extension 46 (FIG. 3). Knob 54 is connected by a screw 56 to the outer end of pin 42. Thus, by rotating the knob, the pin and thereby the corresponding shaft will be rotated.

To remove the shaft from its mounting, the knob is pulled outwardly to remove end 40 from recess 38. Thus, the shaft can be moved axially until extension 34 is moved out of plate 3-6, whereupon the shaft can be lifted out of the receptacle.

A web 58 formed from a material capable of being marked is coupled to shafts 30* and 32 in scroll fashion. Thus, the web extends between and is wrapped onto shafts so that the web can be advanced in one direction by rotating one of the shafts and can be advanced in the opposite direction by rotating the other shaft.

A backing or support plate 60 is carried by the receptacle and disposed to underlie the central portion of web 58, as shown in FIG. 2. In this way, the web can be supported while it is being marked and will remain under tension as it is being advanced or viewed.

Plate 60 has a pair of pins 62 (FIG. 4) rotatably received within respective recesses in end plates 36 and 44 adjacent to side 16. Thus, plate 60 is swingably mounted on the receptacle and movable from the position shown in FIG. 2 to a position permitting access to the interior of the receptacle. In its normal position, plate 60 is disposed in substantially covering relationship to the open top of the receptacle whereby a greater area of the web can be supported for marking. To maintain the plate in this position, shoulders 64 and 66 (FIGS. 3 and 4) are provided on end plates 36 and 44 respectively. The end margins of plate 60 can thus be seated on the shoulders and prevented from moving downwardly into the receptacle. Other means for holding the plate in this position can be used if desired.

Plate 60 is provided with anti-friction means at its outer longitudinal edges to facilitate the movement of the web as the shafts are rotated. To this end, a roller 68 is provided for each side edge of plate 60 respectively. Each end of rollers 68 is provided with an extension 70 rotatably received within an opening in a projection 72 on plate 60. In this way, rollers 68 are rotatably mounted on plate 60 in locations to engage the underside of web 58 in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

In use, web 58 will be coupled and thereby wrapped on shafts 30 and 32 with the web extending over plate 60 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. The web can be provided with lines or other indicia, such as the squares representing the frames of one or more bowling lines, as shown in FIG. 1.

With cover 24 open, the user can apply record information with a marking device to web 58. When additional web area is needed, one of the knobs 54 is rotated to advance the web in the proper direction to place another area of the web over plate 60. This new area can then be marked with information. The web can, in this way, progressively be provided with information until it is filled. At any time, information can be viewed by rotating the shafts in the proper direction to place the desired information over plate 60. The transparency of cover 24 permits the information to be viewed without having to open the device.

Since shafts 30 and 32 are removable from the receptacle, web 58 can be replaced by another web and the latter can receive record information or can be viewed as previously marked. To place another web into the receptacle, plate 60 is swung upwardly to permit access to the receptacle, whereupon shaft 30, which will have all of the old web wrapped thereon, can be removed from the receptacle and substituted with another shaft with the other web. The web can be moved over the plate and into the receptacle or connection with shaft 32 and shaft 30 can be readily returned to its operating posiion. This is followed by moving plate 60 into its operative position and applying tension to the web. When this .4 occurs, the device is again ready to receive record information or to be used for viewing the information on the new web.

Alternately, it may be desirable to separate plate 60 from receptacle 12 if it is desired to leave a web attached to shafts 30 and 32. Thus, both shafts can be removed from the receptacle and stored with the corresponding web. Another web will have its own shafts 30 and 32 and can be readily mounted for recording or viewing, follow ing which plate 60 is again inserted in place in supporting relationship to the new web.

While the device is capable of being made of any size, it can be of pocket size construction so that it can be carried in a garment pocket. In this way, the device can be used by persons attending sporting events wherein it is desired to keep the score of the event. The device can also be used by workmen who must periodically refer to recorded information relating to their work. The simplicity of the device permits it to be used even by one without any special skills and even the replacement of a web can be readily accomplished by an unskilled operator.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed:

1. A record keeping and viewing device comprising: a receptacle having a pair of spaced end walls and a pair of spaced side walls spanning the distance between and connected to said end walls, said side and end walls having respective upper extremities defining an open top for the receptacle; a pair of shafts; means removably mounting said shafts within said receptacle for rotation relative to each other with the shafts being substantially parallel to each other and disposed in spanning relationship to said end walls; a plate having a normally outermost face; means swingably mounting said plate on said end walls of the receptacle adjacent to said open top and adjacent to one of said side walls thereof for movement from a first position with the plate in substantially covering relationship to said open top to a second position permitting access to the receptacle through said open top, said plate having a pair of spaced end marginal edges adjacent to said end walls and a pair of spaced side marginal edges in proximity to and inwardly spaced from respective side walls when said plate is in said first position; a web having a pair of opposed ends secured to respective shafts and being of a material capable of being marked, said web being in wrapped relationship on said shafts and extending therebetween and across and adjacent to said outermost face of the plate when the latter is in said first position, whereby the plate will provide a backing support to facilitate the marking of the web; a handle means on each shaft, respectively, externally of the receptacle, said handle means of each shaft being disposed to rotate the shaft relative to the receptacle; a transparent cover having a size sufficient to cover the open top of the receptacle and the plate when the latter is in said first position; means hingedly mounting said cover on one of said walls for rotational movement from a first location covering said open top and said plate to a second location permitting the web to be marked as it is supported by said plate, the handle means for at least one of said shafts including a tubular extension secured to and projecting outwardly from one of the 'end walls of the receptacle; a pin shiftably disposed within said extension and extending through said one end wall of the receptacle; a spring biasing the pin toward the interior of the receptacle; a tubular knob mounted on and rotatable relative to the extension; and means rigidly interconnecting the pin and the knob to urge the pin outwardly of said receptacle when the knob is forced outwardly of the receptacle, each shaft having a recess for rotatably receiving the inner end of the corresponding pin, the oposite end wall of said receptacle having a recess for each shaft, respectively, each shaft having an extension rotatably 5 6 received within the corresponding recess of said opposite 577,369 2/1897 McIntire 28l-7 end wall of the receptacle, said cover having fastening 1,313,104 8/1919 Matthews 281-7 means for releasably holding the same in said first loca- 1,499,016 6/1924 Guyton 2817 tion; and anti-friction means on the side marginal edges 13,548,510 8/1925 Clay 2817 of the plate to facilitate the movement of the web rela- 1,797,647 3/1931 Gayer 2817 tive thereto. 5

Refgrences Cited LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS U.S. Cl. X.R.

368,972 8/1887 Robinson 2817 

